Raleigh Airport: Global Entry Access?

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) participates in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Global Entry program. However, it is not an enrollment center, so you cannot schedule an interview there. To apply for Global Entry, you must complete the online application and schedule an interview at an enrollment center. Enrollment on Arrival (EoA) is a program that allows conditionally approved Global Entry applicants to complete their interviews upon arrival in the United States, including at designated CBP Preclearance locations.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport is a Global Entry location

To apply for Global Entry, you must complete the online application. Once your application is reviewed, you will be contacted to schedule an interview at one of the Global Entry Enrollment Centres. It is important to note that Raleigh-Durham International Airport does not have an enrollment centre, and the closest one is in Charlotte. However, you can complete your interview upon arrival at Raleigh-Durham International Airport or any other designated airport.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport also offers Mobile Passport Control, which can be used to speed up your trip through Passport Control. This service is available to all US citizens and can be accessed by downloading the Mobile Passport Control app from the Apple iTunes Store or the Google Play Store. By using the app, you can complete your trip details and submit them upon landing at the airport, allowing for quicker clearance through Passport Control.

In addition to Global Entry and Mobile Passport Control, Raleigh-Durham International Airport provides various other services and facilities to enhance your travel experience. These include TTY services, Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs), foreign currency exchange, a US Post Office mailbox, and wheelchair assistance. The airport also offers pre-security dining options, retail stores, and designated meeting locations in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

When travelling through Raleigh-Durham International Airport, it is important to follow the necessary procedures, such as packing essential items, checking your passport, registering with your embassy, and informing your bank and credit card companies. By planning ahead and utilising the available services, you can ensure a smoother travel experience.

No RDU interview location

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is a location for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Global Entry trusted traveler program. However, there is no dedicated Global Entry interview location at the airport. While RDU does offer Global Entry, those seeking to enroll in the program will need to schedule an interview at an official Global Entry Enrollment Center, as the airport does not have an enrollment center on-site.

The absence of an interview location at RDU is likely due to the airport not having a critical mass of international flights to justify the presence of an enrollment center. In the past, RDU has hosted a Global Entry pop-up interview event, but it never requested a repeat of this initiative. As a result, individuals seeking Global Entry enrollment in the Raleigh area have had to travel to other locations, such as Charlotte (CLT), which offers the nearest alternative interview site.

It is important to note that while RDU does not have an official Global Entry Enrollment Center, there are alternative options for completing the interview process. One option is to schedule an interview at a different location, such as the one in Charlotte, which is the closest alternative. However, it may be challenging to secure an appointment at a nearby location within a short timeframe.

Another option is to utilize the Enrollment on Arrival (EoA) program offered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This program allows conditionally approved Global Entry applicants to complete their interviews upon arrival in the United States, including at designated CBP Preclearance locations. This eliminates the need to schedule an interview at a specific enrollment center in advance. Applicants can follow the signage at the international terminal to locate CBP officers who can conduct the interview during the admissibility inspection.

It is worth mentioning that while RDU does not have an interview location for Global Entry, it does offer other trusted traveler programs such as TSA PreCheck, which has an office located in Terminal 2 near Bag Claim 5. Additionally, RDU provides Mobile Passport Control, which can be accessed through the Mobile Passport Control app, to expedite the passport control process.

Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) does offer Global Entry, allowing travellers to speed up their trip through Passport Control.

To apply for Global Entry, you must first complete the online application. Once the CBP has reviewed your application, you will be contacted to schedule an interview at one of the Global Entry Enrollment Centres.

When landing in an international terminal, follow the signage to direct you to CBP officers who can complete your Global Entry interview during your admissibility inspection. If you require assistance due to a disability, inform the interviewing CBP officer of your need for a reasonable modification, auxiliary aid, or service to participate in the interview.

Mobile Passport Control

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) offers Mobile Passport Control (MPC) to speed up the re-entry process for travellers. The app is available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for both Android and iPhone users. The Mobile Passport Control app is free to use and does not require pre-approval or collect any new information from travellers.

To use the Mobile Passport Control app, eligible travellers must submit their passport information and customs declaration form to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) via their smartphone or tablet app prior to their arrival. Once on the ground, travellers press submit to obtain a receipt, which is valid for only four hours. Travellers must then proceed to the "Mobile Passport Control" lane in Passport Control and present their device to the customs agent if requested. Each person travelling in a party must have their own profile and CBP receipt to pass through customs.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport is one of 15 airports that have adopted Mobile Passport Control, including Atlanta, Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport, Denver International Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Miami International Airport, and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Applying for Global Entry

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) does offer Global Entry, which allows you to speed up your trip through passport control. Global Entry is a federal program that lets you go through special security lanes at the airport, which usually means faster and less intrusive screening.

If you are applying for Global Entry, you must first ensure that you are eligible. Regardless of your age, you must have your own Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account. A $120 non-refundable fee is required with each application. After CBP accepts your completed application, they will conduct a review. If your application is conditionally approved, your TTP account will instruct you to schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center. Each applicant must schedule a separate interview. It is important to note that 80% of applications are approved within 2 weeks, while some applications can take up to 12 months or longer to be processed.

When attending your interview, bring your valid passport and one other form of identification, such as a driver's license or ID card. If you are a lawful permanent resident, you must present your machine-readable permanent resident card. A $120 one-time fee is required with your Global Entry application and must be paid at the time of application submission.

Some credit cards or frequent flyer programs will cover the cost of Global Entry. Even if you fly only occasionally, applying could be worth it, especially if you can get reimbursed with your credit card.

Frequently asked questions